Why Pursue a Politics and Law Degree Online?
In our 100% online Politics and Law degree, you’ll gain a deep understanding of law, governance and civic engagement. Through interdisciplinary courses that combine legal studies, political theory and practical applications, you’ll develop critical thinking, legal reasoning and advocacy skills while engaging with real-world issues.
UT San Antonio Online’s expert faculty have extensive experience in advocacy in law, courts and government. You’ll experience a strong mentorship culture and civic partnerships that provide a launchpad for leadership and graduate study.
Skills You’ll Learn in Politics and Law
Legal Reasoning
Policy Analysis
Advocacy
Research Design
Legal Writing
Ethical Judgement
Benefits of a BA in Politics and Law
You’ll gain a clear understanding of how legal systems and political institutions work, both in theory and in practice. You’ll learn to confidently read and interpret laws, policies and legal arguments. Our courses are designed to help you think critically about how government shapes everyday life.
Our curriculum encourages clear, ethical decision-making so you can handle complex issues during your program and beyond. You’ll develop practical skills that translate directly into legal, policy and advocacy skills, including legal writing, argumentation, negotiation and public communication.
UT San Antonio’s program offers a strong focus on legal advocacy supported by faculty who bring real-world experience from state courts and legal practice. You’ll learn from instructors who have worked directly in areas such as civil and criminal law, helping you connect classroom learning to real legal processes. Because the university is located near courts and government agencies, coursework reflects current legal challenges and the work professionals face every day. This gives you a deeper, more practical understanding of how law operates in real civic and judicial settings.
You’ll have access to mentorship, career guidance and support from professionals who understand the legal and civic landscape. Throughout the program, you’ll build a strong portfolio of writing, research and applied work so you’ll be ready for internships, graduate school or roles in government, nonprofit organizations and advocacy groups. Every step of the BA in Politics and Law is designed to support your long-term goals.
If you’re considering law school or another graduate program, this program gives you a strong academic foundation to take that next step. From working on writing samples to research experience and analytical skills, you’ll have stand out to law schools and employers. Additionally, you’ll be prepared to play an active role in your community. Whether you’re interested in public service, policy advocacy or local leadership, this program can be a path toward meaningful civic impact.
If you’re looking for a strong academic program that also provides the flexibility you need, this program was built for you. All your coursework will be online so you can balance work and your other responsibilities. You’ll have due dates each week, but you get to complete your work on your time.
The BA in Politics and Law will be great for you if you:
- Are an aspiring attorney, policy analyst, mediator or civic leader.
- Have a passion for justice and public service and motivation for law, advocacy and civic impact.
- Are community engaged and looking to change careers.
Undergraduate Tuition
$435 per credit hour. Pricing you can plan for.
No Additional Fees
Cost is all-inclusive - no on-campus amenity fees.
No Out-of-State Tuition
Pay the same price, no matter where you live.
Careers in Politics and Law
Shape the laws and policies that shape the world. A BA in Politics and Law can be a pathway for law school as well as roles in human resources, policy analytics, and advocacy groups.
Online Politics and Law Degree Classes
To earn the Politics and Law degree, you’ll complete 120 credit hours, including 42 core hours, 39 major hours and 39 elective hours (6 of these should satisfy the language requirement). See courses below.
Explore the full course catalog for Politics and Law.
Note: If you’re a transfer student, your starting point may differ. Not all courses are offered every semester, so you’ll plan your schedule with your advisor.
Politics and Law Concentration Classes
You can add a Law and Society or Law and Governmental Affairs concentration to your Politics and Law degree. See the course description for each concentration below:
The courses in this concentration include:
GLA 3003. International Law
This course is a survey of public international law. This course introduces the student to the constantly developing framework of international law and its cross section with global politics. Emphasis is on the foundations and substantive rules of international law and national politics. Topics may include the legal analysis of laws of war, war crimes, terrorism, human rights, economic exchange and natural resources, and international institutions.
PAL 3113. Minorities and the Law
This course examines the litigation, case law, legislation, and legal literature associated with African Americans and Mexican Americans in the United States.
PAL 4123. Legal and Philosophical Reasoning
An intensive analysis of selected philosophical texts focusing on law and justice. Students are challenged to develop critical reading and thinking skills by studying the texts of philosophers such as Plato, Aristotle, Dworkin, Hart, and/or others who outline difficult arguments and unfamiliar ideas. Emphasis is placed on drawing reasoned conclusions, advocating positions, and expressing oneself in oral and written forms
POL 3323. Constitutional Law I
An examination of constitutional questions arising from the institutional features of American government, including electoral processes, separation of powers, and federalism. Emphasizes judicial opinions and other primary sources.
The courses in this concentration include:
PAL 3013. The American Legal Process
An introduction to how the United States legal system is organized and functions. A broad overview of the system and its actors is combined with a focus on particular areas of the law such as domestic relations, personal injury liability litigation, criminal procedure, and alternative dispute resolution.
PAL 3413. Regulatory Law and Enterprise
This course examines federal, state, and local administrative and regulatory engagement with Texan, American, and international enterprise. Students have the opportunity to explore law and policies affecting economic development, property, oil and gas, international trade, the Internet, and the environment.
PAL 3223. Judicial Politics
Topics may include political behavior of the major participants in the judicial process; the development of judicial institutions and processes; the political and administrative context of the judicial process; judicial-executive and judicial-legislative relations; and the impact of judicial decisions.
PAL 3313. The Supreme Court
This course examines the U.S. Supreme Court as a political and legal institution. Topics may include the colonial and English antecedents to the Supreme Court, its constitutional origins in the framing and ratification debates, major episodes in its development from the early republic to the present, its role within the federal judiciary, its impact on party politics and political culture, and its relationship to Congress, the executive branch, and the state courts.
OR
PAL 3853. Immigration Law
Examines the legal framework of immigration and citizenship in the United States. Topics include the history and development of immigration and citizenship policy, the constitutional and international law foundations of immigration regulation, the structure and operation of federal institutions that regulate immigration, the role of state and local governments in enforcing immigration policy, and the legal processes that adjudicate immigration cases.
Additional Opportunities – Free for Students and Alumni
Microcredentials – Certificates and Badges
Expand your skillset swiftly with UT San Antonio’s microcredentials from Coursera Career Academy and Adobe Creative Skills. These streamlined educational experiences offer a quick path to acquiring new competencies recognized by a certificate or badge that carries weight in the job market and academia. For example, you can earn credentials in subject areas like project management or data science, which can help you deepen your knowledge and refine your expertise alongside or beyond your degree.
Get Started with Coursera Get Started with Adobe
Career Ready with Adobe
As an Adobe Creative Campus, UT San Antonio students have full access to Adobe’s Creative Cloud software, including applications such as Photoshop, Illustrator, Premiere Pro, and InDesign. By mastering these tools, students can craft persuasive and impactful content for diverse audiences while staying at the forefront of digital communication trends.
This invaluable asset not only enhances students’ skills but also prepares them for successful careers in fields such advertising, graphic design, digital marketing, social media, and multimedia production.
Learn MoreFrequently Asked Questions
Tuition for the Online BA in Politics and Law is $435 per credit hour.
You may qualify for financial aid, including grants, loans, and scholarships. For eligibility, you must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the applicable aid year. Our federal school code is 010115. You must complete a new application each year you are attending.
As a Military Friendly school, we offer many programs to support our students in the military, our veterans, and their families, while working closely with the UT San Antonio Veterans Certification Office. Veterans and military families, please note that UT San Antonio’s 100% online programs are not eligible for the Hazlewood Act benefit.
The skills you’ll gain with a BA in Politics and Law are versatile. You’ll have a range of career options you can pursue. A few examples include:
- Lawyer
- Compliance Officer
- Legislative Aide
- Human Resources Officer
- Contracts Specialist
- Mediator
As a UT San Antonio student, you’ll have access to organizations like Moot Court, Model UN and the Pre-Law Association. Our faculty also have extensive connections in the community, which can help provide internship opportunities in different organizations such as courts, law offices, city council, the DA’s office, legal aid and nonprofits.
UT San Antonio has a strong reputation for law school admission. Our faculty are experienced in law, courts and government and can help you with internship coordination and law school preparation.
In addition to your assigned advisor, there are multiple resources you’ll have access to as a UT San Antonio Online student. A few resources include online writing labs and tutoring, faculty office hours and mentoring, and structured advising and peer support through the program.
You can also sign up for the UT San Antonio Online Ambassador program where you can interact with your fellow online students and share your story at the same time.
Time-to-completion will vary based upon the number of previously earned credits that are eligible for transfer. If taking the full 120 credit hours required, it can take four to five years, depending on course load. With transfer credit, the time to graduation may be significantly less—possibly one to two years. The good news is that your Academic Advisor will help you customize your graduation plan.
A maximum of 66 credit hours of lower division (freshman and sophomore) transfer work from a community college can be applied to a bachelor’s degree at UT San Antonio. If you have exceeded the 66 hours of lower division work, the most applicable 66 credit hours will be applied to the degree you would like to earn. In order to earn a degree from UT San Antonio Online, all students must successfully complete a minimum of 30 applicable credits at UT San Antonio.
There is no maximum number of transferable hours from a four-year accredited institution. Applicable transfer coursework is determined by the Registrar’s Office once students have submitted their official transcripts with their application. Any coursework that does not correspond to courses offered by the university may transfer as elective credit.
All applicants to the online BA in Politics and Law are subject to the standard UT San Antonio requirements.
